Your Child's First Trip To The Dentist

It is generally recommended that an infant be seen by a dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in.

The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. This visit gives your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening and friendly way. Some dentists may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

During the exam, your dentist will check all of your child's existing teeth for decay, examine your child's bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues. If indicated, the dentist or hygienist will clean any teeth and assess the need for fluoride. He or she will also educate parents about oral health care basics for children and discuss dental developmental issues and answer any questions.

Topics your dentist may discuss with you might include:

Good oral hygiene practices for your child's teeth and gums and cavity prevention

Fluoride needs

Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking)

Developmental milestones

Teething

Proper nutrition

Schedule of dental checkups. Many dentists like to see children every 6 months to build up the child's comfort and confidence level in visiting the dentist, to monitor the development of the teeth, and promptly treat any developing problems.

Call 1300 764 537 or click here to make an appointment today with you local 1300SMILES dentist today.

Wisdom Teeth Explained

Wisdom teeth are rear molars that erupt last, usually around the late teens or early 20s. There are normally two wisdom teeth in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw.

Wisdom teeth can cause various dental problems. Sometimes it will be recommended that problematic and painful wisdom teeth be removed.

Common problems of wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth infection – In some cases, there may not be enough room in the jaw for wisdom teeth. This can make brushing and flossing these teeth very difficult. Food and bacteria will build up between the wisdom tooth and its neighbouring molar, therefore decay and gum infections are more likely.

The symptoms of an infection caused by a wisdom tooth include:

reddened, inflamed gum alongside the wisdom tooth

swelling

pain

fever

pus coming from the gum line

sore lymph glands under the jaw

difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth

Infections caused by wisdom teeth can be treated, but the infection will keep coming back unless the teeth are removed. People with pre-existing health problems and compromised immunity can suffer serious complications from these infections.

If you think you may have an infection relating to a wisdom tooth, seek advice from our local 1300SMILES dentist.

Cheek biting and chewing problems – Crowded wisdom teeth may grate against the cheek, causing ulcers on the cheek and chewing problems.

Impaction – Impaction is where the wisdom tooth erupts at an angle and pushes into the next tooth (hard impaction) or the gum (soft impaction). A wisdom tooth that grows on an angle can’t contribute to chewing, making it useless as well as potentially painful.

Wisdom tooth extraction

Widsom tooth extraction, where required, is best performed sooner rather than later.

Using x-rays, your dentist can determine which wisdom teeth need to be removed. Sometimes, a person may need all of the wisdom teeth extracted. The operation may be performed in the chair using local anaesthetic or in an operating theatre under a general anaesthetic, depending on the complexity of the problem.

Your jaw and gum are likely to be sore, swollen and prone to bleeding for a few days after the operation. One of the possible post-surgery complications is a dry socket where the site doesn’t heal as well as it should. This can be successfully treated by your dentist.

Caring for your mouth after an tooth extraction

Your dentist or oral health professional will offer instructions on caring for your mouth after surgery, but general suggestions for self-care after a tooth extraction include:

Take painkillers if required and upon advice from your dentist or other oral health professional.

Regularly hold a mouthful of warm salty water (after meals only) and upon instruction. Be sure to wait 24 hours after surgery before doing this.

Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods for the next few days.

Article Source - Dental Health Services Victoria

Teen Dental

The best way for teens to enjoy a nice smile and healthy teeth is to continue the good oral habits started early in childhood. Whether or not you wear braces or other orthodontic treatment, it is important to:

• Brush twice a day to remove plaque. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline. If plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into tartar —an unsightly, hard yellow build-up.
• Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks.
• Visit your local 1300SMILS dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.

In addition to helping teeth last a lifetime, a clean mouth simply makes you feel good. It also gives you fresher breath and a nicer looking smile.

What Special Dental Issues Should a Teenager Know About?

Dental problems can and do occur during the teen years. Becoming better informed about issues that effect oral health can make it easier to make the best decisions.

• Mouth Guards — if you play sports, mouth guards are critical to protecting your smile. These devices typically cover the upper teeth, and are designed to protect against broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to your mouth. If you wear braces or other fixed dental appliances (such as a bridge) on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.
• Nutrition — nutrition plays a key role in your dental health. The sugars and starches in many snack foods and drinks support the formation of plaque, which destroys tooth enamel. Limit the number of snacks you eat and drink — each time you consume foods and drinks that contain sugars or starches, your teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more. Eating a well-balanced diet from the five food groups can make a big difference in your dental health. For snacks, choose nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt or fruit.
• Smoking —. In addition to other health problems, smoking can stain your teeth and gums, stain the tartar build-up on your teeth and contribute to bad breath. In the long run, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars all increase your risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. If you do use tobacco, let your dentist and physician know, and make sure you tell them about any mouth problems you may be experiencing.
• Oral Piercing — despite its popularity, oral piercing can cause complications such as infections, uncontrollable bleeding and nerve damage. You can also choke on studs, barbells, or hoops that come loose, and the metal jewelry can also chip or crack teeth and damage your gums. If you're considering oral piercing, let your 1300SMILES dentist know; he or she can help you make the safest choices.

 Have you received a Medicare teen dental voucher for  $159.85 towards the cost of preventative dental treatment? Use your  Medic are Teen Dental Voucher at 1300SMILES and receive a FREE dental check up & clean. But Hurry your vouchers expires on December 31 2011.  Misplaced your Medicare Teen Dental Voucher? Call Medicare on 132 011 and request a replacement.

Article source Colgate.com

Dental Tips for School Children

1. Supervise toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, especially after meals, and teach your children to

use dental floss as they get older. Good oral hygiene at an early age will reduce the likelihood of

dental disease and set up good oral hygiene habits for life.

2. Avoid between meal snacks of sweets, sugary foods and sweetened drinks as they cause tooth decay.

Be aware of what your children eat and drink at school.

3. Have your dentist make your children mouthguards for sporting activities. A custom-made mouthguard

fits better and is much more comfortable than one off-the-shelf, so your children are more likely to

want to wear it. You can even have mouthguards made in their favourite colours.

4. If your child’s teeth become damaged in any way, take the child to your dentist immediately.

If a tooth is knocked out:

• If it is clean, place it straight back in its socket.

• If it is dirty, wash it in milk — if milk is not available, use water but only for a few seconds.

• Do not scrub the root surface and try not to touch the root.

• Having removed any debris, now try to replace the tooth in its socket.

• If you can’t replace it, wrap the tooth in plastic wrap or store it in milk. Most importantly, get your

child to a dentist immediately, with the tooth.

5. Take your children for regular check-ups. To prevent decay, your dentist can apply fluoride solutions

and/or seal small pits in the enamel which are prone to decay.

6. Remember, at this age, teeth are often crooked. Ask your  1300SMILES dentist if any corrective treatment is needed.

Article Source -  The Australian Dental Association

Diamond Smile

image supplied by ladygaga.com

Lady GaGa, who is no stranger to peacock-style attention seeking, has ordered a selection of marquise-style gems to brighten up her chops.

She'll have them fitted in time for the Thierry Mugler fashion show in Paris at the end of the month.

A source said: "She's still deciding how many to get done. Her dental bill will be as expensive as her jewellery bill."

Her Dutch designer Otazu also let her dental plans slip.

He said: "She'll be fitted with marquise diamonds."

GaGa will have to be careful she doesn't chip her china tea cups with razor-sharp diamond

But they will look lovely with a hamster wheel on her head.

She definitely isn't scared of the dentist. She had cosmetic fangs fixed to her eye teeth not that long ago.

Lil Wayne has diamond-encrusted teeth and he can't eat anything solid. Sounds a bit like a secret GaGa diet strategy.

 Article Source www.thesun.co.uk

 You can also add a touch of bling to your smile. Tooth Jewellery is now available at 1300SMILES Douglas.

Express your individuality with a Swarovski crystal, without drilling, using dental bond. The procedure is reversible and affordable.

For a limited time only this smile enhancement is available for $50 with your check up and clean. Call 1300 764 537 or click here for an appointment.